Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-02-03
A NIGHT OF HORROR.

hold us entranced, when on long win
ter's evenings we gathered round the
fire, craving for ''stories," one especially
has remained deeply impressed on my
mind, though, alasl treacherous memory
fails TO recall the names of those con-
cerned or Of the castle wherein the scene
was enacted. 1t may be, however, that
some one who reads this rage may rccol-
lect both, and be able 10 supply these
missing links.
The castle which was so minutely de-
scribed, and so wildly realized, was IN
old baronial fortress whose massive gray
walls, many feet in thickness, harmon
lied we'll with the weather-worn rocks
around and the precipitous crags which
frowned in the background. Many a
quaint turret crowned the angles of the
Castellated towers, and from inches in
the battlements armed clansman had in
times of siege poured molten lead on the
heads of their assailants. ..T.i..
Though successive generations had con-
verted the upper s:orics to the uses OF
modern comfort, tie stone cells of the
basement, with heavy doors and rusty
iron grated windows without glass, were
still more gloomy than many modern
prisons, and though now only used as
household Offices, suggested that in days
of old feudal tyranny they might well
have served as dungeons for many
luckless captive taken in tribal foray.
The most spacious of these dismal cells
which served as a hall of feasting for the
clansmen, was partly hewn from the
solid rock, as was also the great baronial
kitchen, so that in truth the castle
seemed but part Of the solid rock on
which it was SO securely founded. Nor
was it always easy TO shake off something
of an eerie impression, even in the dwell
ing rooms on the upper floors with their
antiquated, comfortless furniture and
grim portraits of bygone generations.
Such home could only be CHEEKY in the
bright sunshine and when ringing with
the laughter of joyous young voices; but
at the time of which | speak the old
house was left well nigh as desolate as
the deserted nest from which the full
fledged brood have flown.
Well nigh half a century had passed
since the day when the late owner of
these broad lands brought home tho
comely bride who had ever since filled
her place so well in the hearts of the
people. Sons and daughters grew up
around them, and the ghostly walls re-
echoed their childish glee. But as the
years rolled on, one by one forsook the
old roof-tree-thc Sons to seek their for
tunes in foreign lands, while of the
daughters "some were married-some
were dead.n s.. ......i.
Then came day of bitter woe, when
the lord of the castle no longer so
strong of hand as of yore) was thrown by
restive horse, and was brought home
only to close his eyes in death.
hn1 NV c;,
and still his widow dwelled alone in the
gloomy castle, wisely ruling over all the
interests of her first born son, who still
continued to hold high office in the SER
vice of his country beyond the seas. Her
one mainstay in any unusual difficulty
was o brother, known to all the country
side as 1.-The Colonel n brave old officer
who, after many years of active. service
had now returned to end hisSdays in
peace on small property within dis
tance Of about six miles. l. z.
Her household consisted for the most
part of old and tried retainers the most
recent importation, at the time to which
/ now refer, being butler (whom the
coachman and other old servants con-
sidered quite newcomer because he had
only been ut the castle seven years. and
O ladys maid who had been engaged but
few months previously, on the death of
the valued companion of half q lifetime
This woman was personally good look
ing, and came armed with the highest
recommendations as to character and
skill in millinery, and was also described
as tender nurse in sickness. Neverthe
less, her new mistress could not conquer
O natural instinct of distrust, against
which she fought in vain, telling herself
how unreasonable and unjust was such
unfounded prejudice against q person of
such we'll certified excellence. But so
resolutely did she strive to overcome this
unsympathctic feeling that no outward
sign ever betrayed it's existence, for a
kinder mistress never lived, and besides
the conduct of the woman was ire
proachable. So no ripple on the calm sur
face Of domestic life betrayed that any
manner of evil lay hidden in its depths.
Summer had slipped away, and with it
the glory of golden gorse which lighted
up the barren moorland with it's cleaning
gold Now autumn had kissed the hills
clothing them in fragrant purple;
CHEEKY party of friends had assembled at
the castle to witness the village sports
and enjoy some days sport in pursuit Of
the moor fowl, and for awhile all was
stir and movement. But when the guests
had all dispersed, the silyery haired
hostess was more than usually conscious
of sense of loneliness, as she sat by
herself in q spacious room wainscoted
with dark old oak (wliosc color told how
many successive generations had come
and gone since those parent oaks were
felledD missing of bright days long
gone, and, Of loving faces and voices far
away, she still sat on in the deepening
twilight. Then opening the latticed case
ment (and thereby startling flock of
jackdaws form their roost in the ivy COW
cred turret) she looked out to the cloudy
night, and watched the play of dim moon
light on the pale mists and on the gloomy
morass which lay outspread beyond the
castle " &,
Many time the same outlook had
soothed lcr and whispered peace, but
tonight she only felt its eeriness. Earlier
than was her wont, she retired to her
tapestried bedchamber--a somher room,
furnished with handsome old oak tables
and cabinets, and q richly carved bed
stead, heavily draped with gold cmbroid-
cred velvet, which had once been Grim
son; but its color had long since faded,
and the gold was tarnished beyond recog-
milton. Bidding her maid heap on blaz-
ing wood fire, she dismissed her for the
night. Then, unlocking curious Flem-
ish cabinet, she opened several drawers,
rapidly glancing at the silken and morocco
cases containing her bridal Jewels. now